The children training at the football clinic organised by Penang Sports Council and Penang FC.
SOME 50 children and teenagers aged 18 and below showed off their skills in a ‘Sports For All’ football clinic at the Sony Sports and Recreation Complex, Seberang Jaya, Butterworth.
State youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the event was organised by Penang Football Club Sdn Bhd (PFC) and Penang Sports Council to unearth hidden talents in Penang.
“We are seeking players who can be the back-up for the Penang football team,” he said after visiting the football clinic.
“We also wish to promote this sport.”
Soon said the clinic which was conducted in full compliance of the standard operating procedure received a good response from students.
It will continue to be held until the end of the year with three sessions in a month.
“It is encouraging to see parents accompanying their children at this clinic to give them support,” he said.
Soon pointed out that other sports clinics for tennis, futsal, silat and badminton would be organised under the Sports For All programme.
The football clinic also saw 2016 FIFA Puskas Award winner Mohd Faiz Subri attending as a special guest.
Current Penang FC players Samuel Somerville, Sheridin Boboev, Latiff Suhaimi, Bryan See, Azmeer Aris, Ameer Azahar and head coach Tomas Trucha were also present to motivate the young football lovers.
During the event, Soon announced Mohd Faiz would join Penang FC as a player in the 2022 season.
Mohd Faiz was the first Asian player to win the prestigious Puskas Award followed by Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min of South Korea who won the award in 2020.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Kamarul Farish of SK Kuala Perai was delighted to attend the football clinic after a long break from the game due to the pandemic.
The nine-year-old who plays as a striker at a district football club said he looked forward to learning as much as he could during the clinic.
“I am here to learn to be skilful like professional football players,” he said.
Another participant Aliff Haqqul Mohd Idzham, nine, said he loves to play football and hopes to represent Penang and Malaysia when he grows up.
“Learning new techniques to control the ball during the clinic is amazing,” he said.
Source: The Star
